20cm Ovarian Cyst

[mandiejo]

Hi! I have lurking here for quite some time, but thought that I would actually post. You all have been a lot of help to me. I have a 20cm cyst on my right ovary, I'm having a laparotomy on Dec 11th to finally get rid of it.My incision will be from my pubic bone to above my belly button. It was first found when I was 6 wks pregnant at that time it was 10cm and stayed that way throughout my entire pregnancy, I went in 1 month after my daughter was born for VUS and it had grown to 16cm and now 1 month later it is 20cm, my CA-125 was 14 so that is good. this is the first surgery that I have ever had short of having my tonsils out when I was 8 (I'm now 24). So I am extremly scared and I have come to depend on this forum to calm my nerves as you all have been where I am. my doctor told me it is very likely that I will lose my ovary and tube because of the size but he won't know till he gets in there to see if any damage has been done. So what should I expect as far as down time after surgery -I have a very active 4 y/o daughter and a 2 m/o I can't imagine not getting to care for them. What should I take with me to the hospital? I will be there 3 - 4 nights. Will I be able to climb stairs or should I move into the guest bedroom downstairs? Should I have my mom come stay for the first week or will my husband be enough help? Sorry for all the questions just trying to get as much figured out before hand as I can! Thank you ladies for being here and helping me get through this and not feel so alone.

[Lorigacc]

Hi All,
  I have been reading the posts on this forum for a few weeks now, as I will also be having a laparatomy soon. Mine is scheduled for Dec.6th and I am a nervous wreck.  And of course the timing stinks, as it's right before the holidays.  I would like to put it off, but if the doctor feels its better to go in and get it out of there, I am going to trust him. I have a cyst on my left ovary, about the size of a grapefruit...not sure of the cm.  Right now I have a cold they are watching and might have to talk to the anesthesiologist on Monday, to see what he has to say. Anyway...just want to say hi to all, and to tell Mandiejo I know what she is going through.  Thanks for letting me vent.

[Lisabear]

Hi! I was diagnosed with a 12cm mass over my right ovary.  I since have been in much pain that I end up in Emergency and now the Surgery (vertical) is done.  The Dr. tells me that the mass came out as if it was just sitting in a cavity and he end up removing both ovaries and the uterus. My incision was from my pubic bone to above my belly button. It was first found when I had an accute stomach pain, this is also my first surgery that I have ever had.  So now that is done, and there is no remaining cancerous organs (thank God) do I still have to g through quemo? or what are my options, I know is hard to tell, but I feel alone and I know that manopause is not something I loog forward to.  help?

[wubbie3]

You've got a BIG alien! Hopefully the surgeon will pluck him loose and send him back to the home planet. :)
You will want very loose clothes for several weeks... I found I couldn't stand anything touching not only the incision, but the skin around it. I started using Vitamin E oil on the skin around the incision (and on the incision once the dr said I could), and it helped alot.
You'll have some pain meds for after surgery, but they won't take away muscle pain, and that's the worst part. Have you ever exercised too much, and the next day were really stiff-feeling? That's the kind of constant feeling you'll have for several days. I looked like an old cripple hobbling around work and my house. :)
The biggest thing is that you will NOT be able to lift. I couldn't even pick up my cat! You will need someone else with you to help take care of your children until you are cleared to lift items again (at least a week). If you ignore this rule, you will be in a LOT of pain, and set your recovery back several weeks since even the slightest lifting-weight can tear more muscle fibers.
Hang in there, and keep us posted on how everything goes!
~Marianne

[mandiejo]

Thank you all so much! It's nice to hear some words of encouragement. I have felt so alone in this, I have a wonderful husband, but he doesn't really like to talk about the surgery at all. I think it's his way of copeing with things. That whole if we don't talk about it I don't have to think about the what-ifs I guess.

[fungirl]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.  I know that having surgery can be a scary experience, especially when you have yourg children (I have 3 who are 12, 11, and 9.  My 9 year old is autistic and is unable to walk or talk.  I know what it is like to have a child who is so dependent on you and not be able to lift and care for them), but if your Mom is able to come and stay with you for a week or so it would be a huge help to not only you but for your husband also.  You need to keep in mind that your body is going to be going through something tramatic, and you need to let your self heal.  Do not be afraid to take your pain meds or take frequent naps.  It is improtant for you to walk some each day as this can help speed your recovery.  Good luck, and I will be praying for you.  Look forward to seeing you on the RS.  Kasie

[Gatsby]

Make sure you have something to wear that is loose and won't irritate your belly.  Also, be sure to drink plenty of liquids to keep hydrated.  You will need help with the children, since you will not be able to lift anything!  When you start to feel better, be careful! Don't overdo it.  Pain and fatigue are signs that you have done too much.  Relax, before you know it you will be on the recovery side (RS).  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[GlendaS]

Oh, I forgot one more plus to be excited about.....As soon as I got home from the hospital, even with swelling from surgery, I was back into clothes that I hadn't worn since I was 4 months pregnant. I wore only sweatsuits, of course, but they were smaller-sized. Hopefully, you'll have a similar experience....:)Good luck!

[GlendaS]

I had a 13cm tumor removed just 3 1/2 months after my son was born. I was 26 years old. Believe it or not, an u/s at the beginning of my pregnancy showed both ovaries as being normal and they didn't even find it at my post-partum check-up. The vast majority of the tumor was benign, but a portion of it was malignant. Ovca at your age and at my age is very rare. I think they told me that I had a less than 1% chance of it being cancer, however when they got the test results back that showed that my CA-125 level was at 295, they knew that it was probably cancer. Young people heal very quickly! I know I did and I'm sure that you will, too. I did not have a vertical incision, though, I had a horizontal incision (hip bone to hip bone), which tends to heal quicker. I found out later that a vertical incision is protocol, but the surgery was successful and I didn't have any problems due to not having the vertical incision so I guess everything worked out okay.(Plus my scar is easier to hide) I was able to drive 2 weeks after surgery and returned to work after 4 weeks. I was told not to lift my son unless I could lift him the right way and not bend over and reach for him. My advice to you is to REST! Let your mother and husband do as much as they are willing to do. I remember feeling relieved when they found my tumor because I was SO tired and was finally having an opportunity to rest in the hospital. Playing with your kids will help to take your mind off of how you feel, but don't overdo it and don't get up any more than you have to. After surgery will be your time to relax. Good luck and best wishes!G

[dian07]

This won't be an easy time for you but if you have the help of both your mom and husband there's nothing you can't handle!  First of all, Yes...move into the guest room....you should be close to the bathroom and not be going up and down stairs...someone else will be lifting your precious children for the next number of weeks....mostly you will want to rest after your surgery....you will not be able to lift your children...nothing heavier than a gallon of milk....you will be sorry if you don't follow that simple rule...your age makes this surgery a piece of cake....your staples will be removed 10 days after your surgery....you won't be allowed to drive for 6 weeks...I think that is right...I was 55 when I had surgery...incision from my pubic bont up to my navel...the surgery took 3 hours....I was up and walking that night....I did get pain medication for the first day and a half...my surgery was on a Wednesday and I left the hospital Friday afternoon...but...I didn't have little people at home to care for....you would be wise to take some time off and recover as much as possible....you can do this...don't look forward to this experience but don't fear it either...it is just a stepping stone on your path...nothing more.
Peace.
dian